Will consensus be found for forming a government – political parties' latest positions

There can be no government without GERB, said Denitsa Sacheva, former Minister of Labour & Social Policy. "We Continue the Change" are ready to take the second mandate for forming a cabinet. They believe that GERB has no plan for governance. The war in Ukraine puts heavy dividing lines between "Democratic Bulgaria" and the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP for Bulgaria, Atanas Atanasov, pointed out. BSP is of the opinion that it is absurd to link the future of the Bulgarian government and the Bulgarian National Assembly in any way with the topic “Ukraine”. "Vazrazhdane" would give support only if others share their views.

GERB-UDF welcomed the draft declaration of the Passy-Plevneliev contact group after the consultations, Rosen Zhelyazkov said in BNT current affairs programme “More from the Day" on October 24. He admitted that a cabinet without GERB-UDF could probably be formed.

"Probably it is possible, because GERB has 67 MPs, but without GERB there cannot be a constitutional majority, that is, all those important decisions we have been talking about cannot be taken. Consultations with the President are still to take place and, in fact, the decision on the form of the draft cabinet will take shape after they are completed. I believe that by the end of the week we will have clarity about the form and the direction," said Rosen Zhelyazkov of GERB-UDF.

There is no way GERB to be the first political force and to be in isolation, Denitsa Sacheva is convinced.

"A government without GERB cannot happen. A minority government is an extreme option. At this point, all options are still on the table, the consultations with the President have not begun, so we should not rush to predetermine what the decision will be in the coming weeks. In any case, it will be difficult and dialogue is needed. The parties that do not want dialogue at the moment and are only concerned with political incantations are obviously useless to the public or do not want to work for the public. We are ready for governance and we are ready for elections," Denitsa Sacheva said in the BNT "The Day Begins" programme.

GERB have no plan for governing the country, believes Venko Sabrutev from "We Continue the Change".

"We Continue the Change" will do everything possible to have stability.

"We will not stand behind GERB and MRF. BSP decided to do it. History shows that every party that has touched these toxic parties has paid a price. We are ready to take the second mandate, to take the responsibility of this mandate, we have proven ourselves in time as a party that can negotiate with other parties, to make coalition agreements that are for Bulgaria," said Venko Sabrutev of "We Continue the Change" in the studio of BNT1.

Atanas Atanasov, co-chairman of Democratic Bulgaria, does not rule out a third mandate to form a cabinet.

"The attitude at this moment is that there will be new elections. Hopefully there will be a surprise. The coalition that ruled the country for 7-8 months was created in December last year, before the war started. The war put heavy dividing lines. We cannot be together with the BSP, who are against any aid to Ukraine and are in fact defending Russia's interests. We would support a government, in practice, only with a second mandate, but not without conditions," Atanas Atanasov told "The Day Begins."

BSP believes that the old coalition partners can come together again if the national interest is a priority.

"Dialogue can always be found, and on the subject of Ukraine it is absurd to tie the future of the Bulgarian government and the Bulgarian National Assembly, in any way to the issue of Ukraine. The Bulgarian society currently has other priorities. If we focus on these priorities, I think that the talks would be much more successful. I hope that with the second mandate a government can be formed," said Atanas Zafirov from BSP for Bulgaria.

"Vazrazhdane" want the third mandate and are ready with a cabinet. They also outlined the conditions under which they would give support for another one.

"Let me say something heretical: Why shouldn't they get the support of "Vazrazhdane" if they share our views. After all, we should unite, around principles and programmes, not around personalities and party names. If we get support for the things we consider important: for the bid to join the Eurozone, for the protection of Bulgaria's territorial sovereignty, for lifting sanctions against Russia, we see no problem in supporting any government," party leader Kostadin Kostadinov said.

The position of "Bulgaria Ascending" remains unchanged, namely that the best chance for a cabinet is with the third mandate.

Parliament meets in an extraordinary sitting tomorrow, October 25.